Originally posted by MSNBCRep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head Saturday when an assailant opened fire outside a grocery store during a meeting with constituents, killing her aide, a child and a federal judge. Several others were injured, some critically, during a rampage that rattled the nation.

Giffords was among scores wounded, and the hospital said her outlook was "optimistic" and that she was responding to commands from doctors. The hospital said a 9-year-old child was among the killed, and a federal judge was also fatally shot in the attack.

There were conflicting reports of how many people were injured in the rampage. There were estimates of up to 17 people injured, according to media reports.

Giffords was one of the 20 Representatives targeted in Sarah Palin's Take Down the 20 map (which is down, but Huffington Post snagged before it got dumped)...

Palin posted a statement on her Facebook wall, reading "My sincere condolences are offered to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today's tragic shooting in Arizona. On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice."

Originally posted by Huffington PostThe most illustrative window is Loughner’s YouTube account, which appears to be hub of anti-government zealotry, obsession over currency and language standards, and, to put it bluntly, outright paranoia.

“In conclusion, reading the second United States Constitution, I can’t trust the current government because of the ratifications: the government is implying mind control and brainwash on the people by controlling grammar,” he writes in one video posting. “No! I won’t pay debt with a currency that’s not backed by gold and silver! No! I won’t trust in God!”